Power mechanism for dam-spillways.



J. M. MAHER.

POWER MECHANISM FOR DAM SPILLWAYS.

APPLlCATION map APR. 6. 1914.

1 9 1 3?, 1 56 Patented Apr. 27, 1915.

YHE NORRIS PETERS co. PHOTC L/THQ. SHINGTOM D. C.

JAMES M. MAI-1BR, 0F FREMONT, NEBRASKA.

POWER MECHANISM FOR DAM-SPILLWAYS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 27, 1915.

Application filed April 6, 1914. Serial No. 829,743.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMns M. MAHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fremont, in the county of Dodge and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Power Mechanism for Dam-Spillways, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to power-mechanism for dam-spillways, and has reference to the provision of inclined chutes provided for the dam and the use of endless flexible carriers having blades which obstruct substantially the entire waterway of the chute for driving certain shafts from which power may be derived.

The invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as described herein and claimed, and as illustrated in the drawing, wherein,-

Figure 1 is a view in longitudinal section on line 1 1 of Fig. 2, to clearly show the arrangement of the endless carriers and parts connected therewith. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the chute and mechanism mounted there on, parts of the blades of the carriers being broken away. Fig. 3 is a detail showing a part of one of the carriers and a sprocket wheel.

Referring now to the drawing for a more particular description, numeral 4 indicates a dam provided with a chute 5 of substantially uniform width and depth. At longitudinal intervals of the chute are provided driving shafts 6, these being disposed transversely of the chute and having suitable bearings at their ends on suitably braced vertical standards 7, said standards being mounted on bed plates 8 at the sides of the chute. and upon each shaft 6 are mounted sprocket wheels 9 and a balance wheel 10.

At 11 and 12 are indicated secondary shafts these being employed inpairs, each of said pairs of secondary shafts being disposed below and employed in connection with one of shafts6. They have a sufficient length, substantially to transversely span the chute, their ends having suitable bearings, and supported by plates 8. Shafts 11 and 12 are each provided with sprocket wheels 13, and at 14: are indicated endless carriers or sprocket chains. each being mounted on a wheel 9 of a shaft 6 and a sprocket wheel 13 of each of shafts 11 and 12.

Disposed parallel with the shafts at longitudinal intervals of chains 14: are rigid supporting strips 15, each having a length nearly equal to the width of the chute and preferably secured to chains 14 at each point of intersection therewith by means of a single bolt 16. At 17 are indicated blades each preferably having a length equal to a strip 15, and each consisting of a flat base a adapted to be secured on the strips 15 by means of bolts 16 and 18, an outwardly projecting rectangular wing b disposed at right angles to the base and having a length substantially equal to the depth of the chute, a flat follower-plate 0 preferably disposed parallel with the base and extending from wing 12 in a direction opposite to the direction of extension of the base, and preferably plate 0 is provided with a terminal flange or projection 0? disposed parallel with the wing 72. The blade 17 may be constructed of sheet metal to advantage, and bent to the form shown. As thus described each blade consists, in cross-section, of a flat base provided with an extension of L-shape. A brace e is preferably employed to extend between each wing 12 and base a, and secured to these parts, so that said wing may adequately sustain the stresses directed thereto by the water which may flow in the chute in the direction indicated by the arrow.

The parts thus described may be convenicntly constructed, and when they are assembled the force of the moving water in the chute is utilized to advantage. The blades by this construction cover nearly all of the area of the chute, and the parts are operative when various degrees of inclination are provided for the chute.

It willbe understood that the chute may have a greater or lesser depth according to the supply of water, and the blades may have a corresponding length or width, so that they will extend substantially to the bottom of the chute. And while I have shown a single chute and only three drivingshafts, the number may be increased, if desired, to correspond with an increased water supply.

Numerals 18 indicate pulleys mounted on the ends of shafts 6 opposite to the balance wheels, and suitable connections (not shown) may be made with these pulleys so that the force thus derived may be utilized.

Having fully described the invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is, i E

Mechanism for the purpose described,

comprising, in combination with .an inclined chute, aseries of carriers disposed at longitudinal intervals of the. chute consistingof a plurality of parallel shafts in suitable bearings disposed adjacent to and transversely of the chute, each being provided With sprocket heels, sprocket chains carried by said Wheels} 'a' plurality of blade-members each consisting ofa rectangular sheet bent transversely to provide a fiat base and an exten ion of L-shape in cross-section, a plurality' of bearing-plates each being secured nponthe base ofn blade-member, eachblademember and bearing-plate being disposed parallel with said-shafts, and a single pivot member traversing each blade member near v each of its terminals for engagement with each sprocket chain.

Copies ofth is patent may be' olitai ned for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Iatents, l l Washington, D. 0. 

